We are a group of partners, from council run agencies to businesses, education and third sector groups, that believe in building a culture of welcome and support to refugees and people seeking asylum in the Cumberland area.
In March 2024 a group of organisations from across Cumberland met online to learn more about the City of Sanctuary movement, hear about the plans for Cumberland Authority to become a Council of Sanctuary and to decide on the way forward for delivering City/Place of Sanctuary activities in the area.
Carlisle formed its own group in 2020 and has been a City of Sanctuary since June 2023, when it was recognised by City of Sanctuary UK for its efforts as an area that has welcomed and supported refugees and asylum seekers since 2017.
Similar efforts have been taking place around the new authority of Cumberland and its now time to recognise and celebrate these efforts through the Cumberland Sanctuary Network.
Key members of this network are the main refugee support groups, CRAG, PERN and WCRSN, cultural groups such as MCC, libraries and education organisations such as Carlisle library, Whitehaven and Workington, Carlisle and Lakes colleges and schools.
Football teams, churches and museums will also play a role and all of the above will be supported in turn to be awarded Sanctuary recognition in their own right through the many streams and awards.